Most common 1998 Toyota Tacoma problems
Share of the 300 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Toyota Tacoma complaints by model year
Best Tacoma years: 2014, 2015, 2020. Years to avoid: 2024, 2016, 2025, 2012, 2017. Compare all years →
1998 Toyota Tacoma recalls (1)
Air bags › On-off switch assembly
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The statement required in the owner's manual that "...the on-off switch should only ben used when a member of a passenger risk group identified in the request form in appendix b......is occupying the right front passenger seating position..." is mis-stated.
Remedy: Owners will be sent a corrected owner's manual.
What 1998 Toyota Tacoma owners say
Body & structure all 98 →
The contact owns a 1998 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while inspecting the subframe of the vehicle, he noticed that there was a hole in the rear passenger side wheel well. The contact stated that the failure had increased significantly. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist as an unknown recall had expired. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
The contact owns a 1998 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the dealer for routine maintenance, the contact was informed that the subframe was severely corrosion. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Campaign: 10030357-0006 (Frame Corrosion-Preventative Compound); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 164,000.
Air bags all 46 →
I had an accident over a year ago and the airbags did not deploy then I ask the guy that fixed it told me that it didn't have the sensor on the front of my truck, and I wonder why. Now I realized the never saw that sensor on my truck, and want to know what is happening with my truck if other vehicles are involved in the same situation. Sincerely: [redacted].
Vehicle was stopped in traffic attempting a left turn. Vehicle was rear ended by a driver not paying attention, sent airborne, flipped several times forward and sideways, then hit a parked car. Air bag never deployed, resulting in major injuries to driver of vehicle.
Wheels & tires all 34 →
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the frame of the vehicle was fractured by the rear wheel on the driver and passenger side. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer stated that the frame was no longer under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 319,552.
The vehicle was in motion on a highway at a speed between 60-65 ml/hr, when I heard something pop. When coming to a stop sign at the off ramp, the steering wheel immediately turned to the right, after pressing on the brakes. I took it to walmart were I purchased the tires and explained to the intake technician of the situation and requested a balancing of all 4 tires, because I thought a weight had fallen off the rim. The auto technician balanced all 4 tires. The receipt stated tires balance accepted and complete. No out of balance specifications were indicated. The problem was not resolved. While driving on the highway at 60-65 ml/hr and coming to a stop, the vehicle still pulled to the right immediately when letting go of the steering wheel. I then had the alignment checked by another auto/tire shop. It was found to be out of alignment. …
1998 Toyota Tacoma engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 19 / 25 / 21 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 19 / 22 / 20 |
| 2.7L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 17 / 22 / 19 |
| 3.4L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 17 / 22 / 19 |
| 3.4L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 17 / 22 / 19 |
| 2.7L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 16 / 20 / 18 |
| 2.7L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 16 / 20 / 17 |
| 3.4L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 15 / 18 / 16 |
| 3.4L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 15 / 18 / 16 |
EPA ratings. Class: Small pickup.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Toyota Tacoma a good car?
Based on 300 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1998 Tacoma rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the Tacoma at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1998 Toyota Tacoma?
The body & structure — 98 complaints, 33% of all complaints for this model year, most often about body. Next are the air bags (46) and wheels & tires (34).
How many recalls does the 1998 Toyota Tacoma have?
There is 1 recall for the 1998 Toyota Tacoma, the most recent from August 6, 1998 (on-off switch assembly). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Toyota Tacoma?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2014, 2015 and 2020. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2024, 2016, 2025, 2012 and 2017. See the full Toyota Tacoma years comparison.
At what mileage do 1998 Toyota Tacoma problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 136,000 miles; 5% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.